Collaborative Solutions

Tough conversations are no fun for anyone. You might find yourself walking away without saying what you truly wanted. Replaying what happened in your head over and over, playing out every scenario of what you wish you had said... Debriefing with others afterwards about the injustice of what happened Blocking someone as soon as they say something you didn't like What if, instead of stepping away from the conversation, you learned how to engage differently? To stay present in that hard conversation and work through it? What would life look like then?

In watching episodes of Dragon's Den, it's been interesting to watch as some people step over the line of confidence into arrogance. And the Dragons pick up on it every... single... time. Where is that line? How does it affect how your team members are able to trust in and leadership? P.S. I'm decades behind, but loving Dragon's Den. Anyone else with me?

You know that feeling when you find a community where people are so genuine and supportive that you wonder where they've been your whole life? That's what discovering the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers felt like to me when I joined in 2018. It's a place where people give unconditionally AND are just plain fun to be around. Never in my life have I had so many conversations that start with "what can I do to help you". ... Keka DasGupta has put together a list of Sarah McVanel-Viney's top reasons for being a CAPS member. Don't just take our word about the value of CAPS membership. Non-members are welcome at our virtual meetings: https://www.canadianspeakers.org/events/ Come see for yourself. They're always packed with info to help you grow your speaking business and connections with great people.

At only 13 years of age, Lis Cashin accidentally killed her friend after throwing a javelin at a school sports day. In one short moment, her life went from hopes of winning a sports medal to an outcome that was more tragic and traumatic than anyone could have ever imagined. The trauma of this day profoundly influenced how Lis’ life would unfold. For years, she found herself making decisions that ultimately punished herself, related to her immense guilt and shame over the a...ccident. On this episode of The Workplace Communication Podcast, Lis shares her own journey to mental wellbeing, as well as tons of takeaways from her professional life, where she works with individuals and teams to help them to unlock potential and transform mental wellbeing. Leadership tips you won’t want to miss: Regaining a sense of agency over your life when nothing seems to be going right The weight of wearing masks Why if the picture looks too perfect, it probably is Watching out for warning signs of mental health in your team members Implementing a wellness action plan in your workplace

When someone treats others poorly without being held accountable, even those not directly involved start to realize that they're not in an environment where it's safe to speak up. Where authority and image are protected above and beyond anything else. It's a slippery slope and one that has landed many companies into legal hot water. ... There's a spectrum of behaviours that treat others as lesser than. Make sure you catch them early on and set a standard of what is and is not acceptable within your organization. The well-being of your employees and your organization are interdependent and dependent on it. Do it not just because it's what your organization needs to thrive long-term, but because it's the right thing to do.

Disagreements are an inevitable part of relating to other people. When they happen in the workplace, disagreements can be a catalyst to push you out of your comfort zone and try new ways of relating to others. When both individuals are able to consider and respect the perspective of the other person, progress and understanding are more likely to occur.